If you’re keen to see the world, but don’t have the cash to get away, volunteering abroad could be the answer you’ve been looking for. This kind of opportunity does involve costs, but it’s possible to raise the funds for your trip with a little time, effort and creativity. Here are our top ways to get the money together so that you can head off to a faraway land and do something really important at the same time…

If you really care about the people and places you want to help, show that to friends, family and members of the public. Explain why you are so determined to volunteer in Ghana, work in a school in Thailand, or help to look after the sick in Costa Rica. If you really believe in what you are trying to achieve, people will see that and want to help you.

At the very least, you should set up a page on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat explaining your plans and appealing for help. It’s also a great idea to set up your own website. If you’re lucky enough to have a computer expert friend or family member, ask them to help. If not, search online for hosting services: many are designed to be easy to use without expert knowledge, and these companies will help you to tailor your site according to your requirements.

If you’re asking people to give towards your cause, it’s a great idea to promise that you will give something in return. You could give your online supporters a blog account of your time away, describing what you are doing to help and how it is all going. Alternatively, you could opt for a postcard or photo on a regular basis, so that the people who have helped to fund your trip can follow your journey and feel that they are a part of it.

It will take time to organise your fundraising efforts, so don’t leave the planning until the last minute. Ask friends and family for ideas on events that you could hold to raise funds for the trip, and make sure that your cause is known about within your local area. Put posters up in the windows of local shops, and spread the word by chatting to people wherever you go.

Raising money to fund volunteering abroad requires a lots of planning and hard work, along with a determined and positive attitude. This kind of approach will be extremely useful when you head off on your travels. Find out tips on travelling on this page.

Going abroad to work at helping others is a much more rewarding experience than simply buying a package holiday and lying on a beach. This is the kind of experience that can change your whole life, and give you an entirely new perspective on things – and that will actually mean something to those you help, so the fundraising process is well worth getting right.